Southend United fans in bid to get Roots Hall ready for new season

More than 150 fans gathered together today to clean all areas of the ground.

And event organiser Lawrence Austin was blown away by the response he received after first suggesting the idea on social media.

“It’s an unbelievable turn-out,” said the lifelong Blues fan.

“We’ve had at least 165 people turn out and I just wasn’t expecting that at all.

“Everyone was pulling together and just working so hard.

“I didn’t see one person shirking a job and it was humbling to see this happening after just one little tweet I put out.

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“The community really came together for this and I think everyone was on the same sheet with it.

“It shows just how many people really do care for this club.”

Working together- event organiser Lawrence Austin and Kevin Maher (Image: NICKY HAYES)

The Shrimpers are due to kick off the season at home to Oldham Athletic on Saturday but it has yet to be confirmed where the match will be taking place.

Blues have until 5pm on Monday to get the safety certificate needed to host the game and remain in a perilous position financially.

The Shrimpers have been in a a transfer embargo since September and will therefore start the season with just 16 contracted players.

Chairman Ron Martin - who continues to insist the club is up for sale - remains an unpopular figure among the fanbase.

But supporters at Roots Hall were keen to stress their support for the club.

Chris Nice, who worked alongside Austin in setting up the event, said: “We can’t do anything about embargoes, HMRC or players not being paid but we can help with this.

“I know there’s a lot of talk online about why are you doing this but could you imagine if we got through these financial difficulties and the ground wasn’t up to scratch.

“It would be heartbreaking.”

And Nice was also keen to help ensure fans could enjoy watching matches from Roots Hall.

"When you bring your family and kids to a game and tell them about coming here when you were a kid you don’t want their first experience to be a broken seat or one covered in muck,” said Nice.

“We feel proud of our club and you want their experience to be good so they want to come back

"We’re pleased just to be able to do something to help the club.”

Working hard - supporters in the West Stand, including Sam Herrington (right) (Image: Chris Phillips)

And those sentiments were echoed by 16-year-old Sam Herrington, who got the train from South Woodham Ferrers to take part.

He said: "I just want to help the club and do whatever is needed for us to be ready for the new season.

"I've got a season ticket in the West Stand now and wanted to come down at help, even though my mate didn't come with me!

"I just hope the game can go ahead on Saturday."